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Old Dec 23, 2001 | 07:32 PM
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Default Bilstein Shocks

I understand there are two types, a sport and what I will call regular. I have the Z51 and will be adding the Z06 front sway. Which ones might smooooth the ride outfrom the stiffness of the bars, or is it NOT possible.
Dogdoc :crazy:
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Old Dec 23, 2001 | 07:44 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

The bars you're installing will not stiffen the ride at all. They will provide greater roll resistance when cornering. Not sure on your Bilstein question as I haven't used them yet myself. I'm considering them though but I don't want to put up with lowering my car and scraping any more driveways than I do already. Not sure if they are a good choice for stock ride height since I've seen some guys saying the Bilstein Sports should only be used on lowered cars. :)
I understand there are two types, a sport and what I will call regular. I have the Z51 and will be adding the Z06 front sway. Which ones might smooooth the ride outfrom the stiffness of the bars, or is it NOT possible.
Dogdoc :crazy:
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Old Dec 23, 2001 | 07:51 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (Tx99FRC)

Thanks for your response, I had not heard about lowering the car and bilsteins. I do know that you have to watch the "travel" distance bewtween wheel hub and shock. Dogdoc
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Old Dec 23, 2001 | 07:59 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

That's kind of what I was thinking too. Something to do with total shock travel possibly. Maybe they overextend the piston if the car is not lowered. Like I said I haven't checked it out yet but I've heard nothing but good things re: Bilstein Sports. I just hope I don't have to lower my car to use them. :)
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Old Dec 24, 2001 | 04:02 AM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (Tx99FRC)

The Bilstein Shocks are the same length and have the same travel as the stock shocks do. The difference is in the jounce bumper on the shock, it is softer and thinner on the bilstein. That is one reason they work better with lowered cars. The other things that are different are the valving and a higher gas pressure. These help firm the ride.
Bilsteins would be fine on a stock height C5 :cheers:
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Old Dec 24, 2001 | 08:49 AM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (Flyin'Brian)

I love my Bilstein's!!!
:cheers:
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Old Dec 24, 2001 | 12:16 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (c5vetteman)

I love my Bilstein's!!!
:cheers:
ditto (sports)
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Old Dec 24, 2001 | 01:09 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (c5vetteman)

But should I use the Sport model or a stock Bilstein?
Dogdoc :confused: :confused:
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Old Dec 24, 2001 | 04:41 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

go with the sports and standard tools is all you need, and a little muscle, 2 people make it easier.....you'll also need some heavy duty tie wraps, to keep the shock compressed for removal and compressing and tieing the new ones for install, makes it much easier :D
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 12:46 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (Mean Green 2000)

go with the sports and standard tools is all you need, and a little muscle, 2 people make it easier.....you'll also need some heavy duty tie wraps, to keep the shock compressed for removal and compressing and tieing the new ones for install, makes it much easier :D
I am going to install a set tonight. How do you "tie" them?
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 02:54 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (adamsocb)

The altrenative to "tie"ing them is to drop the lower control arm down to get the front shocks in and out. That is what I did, it doesn't take too much longer. The rears are cake.
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 03:06 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

Mine will be here tomorrow :yesnod:
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 05:45 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (NastyC5)

I've got the sports with ZO6 bars and love it. I'm installing the ZO6 springs next week. I also lowered it about an inch and a half.
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 07:26 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (Duntov-097)

I have the sports on my car, and am lowered about 1.5 inches. The ride is firm, but not harsh, at least by my standards. Compared to my slammed Honda that I drive everyday, it's not bad at all. For the guy who was scared to lower his car, just do it. The only thing I rub is the front plastic piece, which bends back after rubbing. It's worth it, if even only for asthetics.

Greg
:cool:
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 09:21 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

I had the Z51 suspension with stock sways. I went with the Bilstein Sports and Hotchkiss Sway bars. Day and night difference in handling and ride. Probably one of the best mods I did. What good is all that power if it doesn't stay on the road. :yesnod:

Only downfall is the Hotchkiss swya bars add a lot of noise to car due to the endlinks. But overall, I would go with the Bilstein shocks!!! My 2 cents. ;)
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Old Dec 27, 2001 | 09:29 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (YellowManY2K+1)

Sounds like a plan to me too :yesnod:
I had the Z51 suspension with stock sways. I went with the Bilstein Sports and Hotchkiss Sway bars. Day and night difference in handling and ride. Probably one of the best mods I did. What good is all that power if it doesn't stay on the road. :yesnod:

Only downfall is the Hotchkiss swya bars add a lot of noise to car due to the endlinks. But overall, I would go with the Bilstein shocks!!! My 2 cents. ;)
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Old Dec 28, 2001 | 12:06 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (Mean Green 2000)

You'll also need some heavy duty tie wraps, to keep the shock compressed for removal and compressing and tieing the new ones for install, makes it much easier :D
Thanks for the tip Mean Green! I got them installed last night. Road Testing today. :smash:
:) :) :cheers:
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Old Dec 28, 2001 | 06:59 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (adamsocb)

The Sports are definitely the way to go for improved vehicle control, especially with regard to improving rebound control (limiting the "bounce" or upward movement of the suspension after a bump) over the stock Z51. You NEED improved shock control if you are adding stiffer bars.

As for the bars, I have the Hotchkis, but would have put on the '02 ZO6 bars if they had been available. They are cheaper, perform about the same, and will be more reliable in the long run, since they don't use the exposed spherical bearing.

I actually felt the ride improved with the Bilsteins. Also keep in mind that a large part of the jiggly and skipping-over-bumps behavior of the car is due to the EMT's. You will not believe how archaic the EMT's are until you put on a set of BFG or Firestone runflats, which drive like a normal tire. All of that wierdness mentioned in the first sentence disappears.
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Old Dec 28, 2001 | 07:06 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

Hey you guys, just want to say that LAPD is the BEST>called late yesterday afternoon and they FEDexed to me today. NOW THAT IS SERVICE, I will be installing these BILstein's next week....Dogdoc :cheers:
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Old Dec 28, 2001 | 07:28 PM
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Default Re: Bilstein Shocks (dogdoc)

SPORTS, all the way...
Last year I lowered my car, but used the Heavy Duty Bilsteins. Was never happy with the ride. Changed them out to the SPORTS, man, what a difference! Smooth but firm, CD doesn't skip, car "rolls" over bumps & takes em nicely! GO! Bilstein Sports, 100%
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